Regional Economic Connectivity Specialist/ Grants Program Specialist - Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC)

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

SUMMARY

BSPS a subsidiary of Bering Straits Native Corporation is currently seeking a Regional Economic Connectivity Specialist/ Grants Program Specialist for SCA Staff Services supporting the Office of Press and Public Diplomacy (SCA/PPD), Washington, DC  20520. This position will facilitate SCA/PPD in promoting U.S. cooperation between the five countries of Central Asia through Public Diplomacy grants and projects that highlight common opportunities and shared interests.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor initiative, which fosters greater linkages and cooperation within South Asia and between South and Southeast Asia is also a priority for the administration. This position facilitates South Asia and Southeast Asia grant processes within Public Diplomacy Sections across the region. These grants address the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor strategic priorities.

• US continues to which seek a secure, stable, and prosperous place for Afghanistan in the broader region through increased energy, trade and transit, border management and people-to-people linkages to Central Asia. This position provides significant support for grant processes and program management that address the President’s South and Central Asia strategy.
• Additionally, in close coordination with other elements of SCA, the incumbent will monitor political, economic, and security developments in South and Central Asia and contribute to well-coordinated USG policy and program recommendations for presentation to the Grants Unit Chief, Deputy Director, Director, and SCA Front Office.
• As appropriate and in accordance with Department guidelines, represent the office and SCA Bureau, as necessary, at meetings within the Department and in grant negotiations with non-governmental organizations on various grant programs.
• Participates in planning, coordinating, and overseeing the administration of the Public Diplomacy Section grant programs across SCA. This includes responsibility for executing or overseeing the execution of the following activities:
• Promoting grant opportunities.
• Preparing requests for proposals and publishing requests on the grants.gov website.
• Disseminating information and providing advice to respondents and grant applicants.
• Conducting initial review and analysis of grants proposals and budget submissions.
• Providing guidance, assistance, and support to grants review panels.
• Preparing grant award documents.
• Reviewing and monitoring funded projects.
• Reviewing grantee reports.
• Alerting the supervisor to any grantee problems and issues.
• Recommending actions in response to grantee problems and issues.
• Initiating and preparing documentation for grant modifications and amendments as needed.
• Publicizing successful grant projects; and,
• Maintains the official grants file folder in accordance with the Department’s directives
• Establishes and as needed, coordinates SCA participation in regional dialogues in areas of responsibility while working to enhance the monitoring of regional organization efforts in areas of expertise.
• Serves as liaison between SCA/PPD, Department and Federal systems (ILMS, SAM.gov, Grants.gov), as well as any internal Federal Assistance Working Groups to ensure Public Diplomacy equities and grants management practices are adequately followed
• Facilitate the development of grants management SOPs across SCA to communicate and standardize proper grants management practices in the region.
• Maintain and update the SCA/PPD Grants & MEL Resources SharePoint site, ensuring Public Diplomacy Sections in SCA have access to resources, guidelines, templates, and training on grants management.
• Develop, conduct, and manage training and capacity building activities to support grants staff in SCA, ensuring awareness of federal and department regulations and proper grants management practices
• Coordinate with Monitoring & Evaluation Specialists in review and development of Notices of Funding Opportunities, resources for grant staff, as well as training for Public Diplomacy Sections.
• Facilitate collaboration between SCA/PPD, Public Diplomacy Sections, and A/OPE’s Federal Assistance team to address grant challenges in SCA
• Provide technical guidance and support to Public Diplomacy Sections on grants packages over $25,000 through bureau review, grants training and by maintaining open lines of communication through office hours at the end of the fiscal year.
• Coordinate with Central Asia Grants Management Specialist and EUR/ACE to support Central Asia Public Diplomacy Sections with their foreign assistance budget lifecycle, including but not limited to, designing regional programs addressing policy priorities such as access to higher education, English language, and combating disinformation
• Support SCA/PPD in responding to internal and external data calls on grant programs as needed.
• Apply internal control measures to protect organizational integrity and prevent unauthorized use or misappropriation of federal assistance funds.
• Perform all other duties required by the office and SCA Bureau as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS - EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required (Minimum Necessary) Qualifications

Education

Preferably a bachelor’s degree in public affairs, international relations, area studies, journalism, digital communications or related degree.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience planning, writing, and editing press guidance and social media content about U.S. foreign policy or related topic.
• Must either possess a Secret security clearance or be able to obtain one.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, to respond effectively to customers with a sense of urgency.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Self-starter with demonstrated experience working under unpredictable circumstances with little guidance or direction.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Adobe toolsets, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

NECESSARY PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Employees must always maintain a constant state of mental alertness. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, walking, or standing for prolonged periods of time; most of time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about.

DOT COVERED/SAFETY-SENSITIVE ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• This position is not subject to federal requirements regarding Department of Transportation “safety-sensitive” functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be borne by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

The job is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and multi-line telephone system. The work described herein is primarily in a modern office setting. Occasional travel may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No supervisory responsibilities.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFYING FACTORS

As a condition of employment, you will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening and have acceptable background check results. If applicable to the contract, you must also obtain the appropriate clearance levels required and be able to obtain access to military installations.

Shareholder Preference

BSNC gives hiring, promotion, training, and retention preference to BSNC shareholders, shareholder descendants and shareholder spouses who meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

Bering Straits Native Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, or gender-identity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

We participate in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program. We are a drug free workplace.